Ten Images of the Royal Architectural Site of Château de Fontainebleau

The Château de Fontainebleau is a medieval castle located 55km southeast of the centre of Paris. It has been established as a UNESCO world heritage site. Royal monarchs have occupied this grand architectural palace for centuries. Beautiful, magical and complex in renaissance style, Bridgeman’s images of Fontainebleau are unquestionably unique. Fontainebleau consists of many grand departments including royal bedrooms, such as that of Marie de Medici and Empress Eugenie. There are also a series of galleries within the complex, including the gallery of Diana which was designed as a promenade for the queen under Henry IV’s rule.

Napoleon I’s bedroom and ballroom are all exquisitely designed. The ballroom has a variety of frescoes painted upon its walls by mannerist Italian painter Niccolo dell ’Abate. These images display the exterior of Fontainebleau and the palaces interior of architectural and artistic delights. 

The large staircase of Fontainebleau is curved in design, resembling elements of Royalty. The stairs are centered at the front of the buildings facade. The stairs are an architectural feature linked to the grandeur characteristic of renaissance architecture.

Photo of Renaissance architecture: the large staircase of the castle of Fontainebleau., Unknown Artist, (16th century), Photo Josse, Château de Fontainebleau, Seine-Et-Marne, France, Photo © Photo Josse / Bridgeman Images

The ancient prisons of Fontainebleau are made entirely out of brick, forming an oval passageway. This image shows the bleak darkness of these passageways which resembles the eeriness of the previous prison quarters. 

Palace of Fontainebleau (Chateau de Fontainebleau), by Francesco Primaticcio, Philibert de l'Orme, 1528, 16th Century, Chateau de Fontainebleau, Seine-et-Marne, France, Detail. Caves 'grotte des Pins' with arcades, once used as prisons. The ancient prisons are made with stones ('concio') in rustic ashlar technique. Telamones figure define the pillars. Paving surface in the foreground. CREATOR: Primaticcio Francesco, Orme (Delorme), Philibert de l' LOCATION: Palace of Fontainebleau, Fontainebleau, France, © Mondadori Portfolio/Electa/Georges Fessy / Bridgeman Images

The Facade of Château de Fontainebleau is filled with a series of windows, symmetrical to one another. The bricks are a cream colour which create a very light classical appearance. The roof is coloured grey. 

Palace of Fontainebleau (Ch‚teau de Fontainebleau), by Francesco Primaticcio, Philibert de l'Orme, 1528, 16th Century, Château de Fontainebleau, Seine-et-Marne, France, Detail. Frontale veduta of Fontainebleau 'Cour de la Fontaine' court and 'aile des Poeles' facade, realized in ashlar technique, where are tympanum windows and pilasters. On the roof, chimney pots and slopes. CREATOR: Primaticcio Francesco, Orme (Delorme), Philibert de l' LOCATION: Palace of Fontainebleau, Fontainebleau, France, © Mondadori Portfolio/Electa/Georges Fessy / Bridgeman Images

Sculpture can be seen across the royal palace of Fontainebleau, classical and organic in style. This effeminate masculine body is beautifully carved and appears idealized in its body contouring. The royal arms above the sculpture's head links into the prestigious royal atmosphere of the Fontainebleau residence.

Masculine figure from the Gallery of Francois I (1494-1547) 1535-40 (stucco), Rosso Fiorentino, Giovanni Battista (1494-1540) / Italian, Château de Fontainebleau, Seine-et-Marne, France, © Bridgeman Images.

A Golden Eagle stands proudly at the top of Fontainebleau, contrasting in this image against the brilliant blue sky. The sculpture itself is reminiscent of a connection to the spiritual world. The details of the carvings among the eagle are full of intricate small patterns. Lifelike in depiction, the gold eagle constitutes notions of power and significant wealth. 

Image of Golden eagle on railings (photo), Château de Fontainebleau, Seine-et-Marne, France, © SGM / Bridgeman Images

The Engraving from the door of Marie - Antoinette’s bedroom depicting the Muses by Jean-Francois Beauvais (1772) is beautiful and elegant in style. Two women play harmonies with instruments. Their arms clutching on to the instruments create a sense of dynamism. The figures are idealized and graceful. Marie Antoinette was the last queen of France before the French revolution. 

Engraving from the door of Marie-Antoinette's bedroom depicting the Muses by Jean-Francois Beauvais (b.1772) / Bridgeman Images

The Boudoir of Marie - Antoinette -  Marie was born an Austrian Princess! This photograph shows bright sunlight in Marie's boudoir. A huge mirror reflects a grand chandelier. Classical sculptures are carved into the walls. The walls have painted decorative coats of arms on them too. This room exquisitely portrays royalty. 

Image of the Boudoir of Marie-Antoinette (1755-93) decorated in 1785 (photo), Mique, Richard (1728-94) / French, Chateau de Fontainebleau, Seine-et-Marne, France, © Bridgeman Images

 

A Fresco on the walls of the palace - This fresco is figurative and beautiful. Framed with gold, its royal connotations are embedded. 

The Catanaean Twins, Anapias and Amphinamus at the Sacrificial Altar, detail of the decorative scheme in the Gallery of Francis I (1494-1547) 1535-40 (fresco and stucco), Rosso Fiorentino, Giovanni Battista (1494-1540) / Italian, salamander emblem of the king; two brothers who rescued their parents during an eruption of Mount Etna; Château de Fontainebleau, Seine-et-Marne, France, © Bridgeman Images

Oil painting from a series of the Four Seasons in the Salle du Conseil - This painting by French painter Francois Boucher is reminiscent of the heavens above. Clouds swirl in the sky, babies dance in unison around a wreath of grapes and flowers. This painting radiates harmony and love. 

Autumn, from a series of the Four Seasons in the Salle du Conseil (oil on canvas), Boucher, François (1703-70) / French, Chateau de Fontainebleau, Seine-et-Marne, France, © Bridgeman Images

The Grand Entrance to Fontainebleau has elaborate gold details. The gold against the black fence contrasts well. 

Renaissance architecture: entrance gate of the castle of Fontainebleau. 16th century Seine et Marne, Luisa Ricciarini, photograph, Château de Fontainebleau, Seine-Et-Marne, France, © Luisa Ricciarini / Bridgeman Images

 

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Sources: 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marie_Antoinette

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palace_of_Fontainebleau

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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